Pretty cool for doing nothing more than using my REI card for my business expenses. No annual fee, pay off the balance every month, good sales on good clothing, which is what I use my dividend for mostly. Life is good...

My best year for an REI dividend was my worst year on the trail. I had so much unnecessary crap and I carried it all. Since joining BPL and figuring out what to avoid, my dividend has been pitiful and my back has been so much happier.

"Amuses me how people treat an REI dividend like a tax refund: "Hey, free money from the government/from REI!" Uh...you paid it in, pal."

Not really, at least not in my situation. I get my refund almost entirely from using my REI credit card. No annual fee, I pay it off every month, and when I spend my dividend it is almost always on a sale or clearance item. With five active kids, the dividend has paid for ALOT of clothing in our home, without ever over-paying. If it's cheaper elsewhere, that's where I spend my money. Outside of clothing and misc small gear that rarely goes on sale, I spend the rest of my funds at the small cottage companies.

About $12 and change for me. A buck more than last year. Our REI's are pretty small here. Regional differences I suppose. Cabela's and Gander Mtn. put REI to shame. REI doesn't even have a firearm department, who shops there?! Lol

I beg to politely differ. You are purchasing on the REI card as opposed to some other card that might have a different reward structure; you're just choosing to funnel it into an REI dividend. You are still paying to be playing. Not free money, just re-allocated money! But, no matter, enjoy it. I am envious of your massive dividend.

Due to cottage makers and other dealers' sale prices, my dividend is a massive $3.50. Barely half what it was last year!Their credit card offer with a $100 gift card hit my inbox a few days ago, though, and that's always tempting...

Looks like I'll be getting a Flash sleeping pad with my dividend and 20% coupon.

FYI: CSA told me in store a few weeks ago that the lifetime return policy is being changed to 1 year for purchases in/after 2014. Things bought in the past will apparently be grandfathered. The web site does not yet mention this change in policy. I'll have to check my receipt when I use my dividend